California is home to a variety of native quail species. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide a quick overview of the quail species native to California before diving into more detail later in the article.
Quick Answers
There are 6 main species of quail native to California:
- California Quail
- Mountain Quail
- Gambel’s Quail
- Montezuma Quail
- Scaled Quail
- Northern Bobwhite
The most common and recognizable quail in California is the California Quail. Other notable native species include the Mountain Quail and Gambel’s Quail.
California Quail
The California Quail (Callipepla californica) is the state bird of California. It is a plump, short-tailed gamebird with a distinctive teardrop-shaped head plume called a topknot. Here are some key facts about the California Quail:
- It is the most abundant and widespread quail in California.
- It is found throughout California in brush, woodland, and forest habitats.
- Males have a black face outlined in white, brown flanks, and a scaled belly.
- Females have a brown head and lack the distinctive head plume.
- Their diet consists of seeds, leaves, acorns, berries, and some insects.
- They usually live in coveys of 10-50 birds outside of breeding season.
- Their population remains stable and they are hunted recreationally throughout their range.
The California Quail is a popular gamebird for hunting and a common sight for birdwatchers across the state. They are often found in small coveys foraging along the ground and can be quite approachable. Their loud, distinctive call of “chi-ca-go” is commonly heard ringing out from thickets.
Breeding and Nesting
California Quail breed from March to September. The male will mate with multiple females, who each build their own nest and raise the young on their own. Nests are shallow scrapes lined with vegetation and typically hidden under a bush or log. Females lay 9-16 eggs which hatch in 23-25 days. The chicks are able to leave the nest shortly after hatching and follow their mother to forage.
Subspecies
There are five recognized subspecies of the California Quail:
- C. c. californica – Northern California
- C. c. catalinensis – Santa Catalina Island
- C. c. achrustera – Southern California/Baja California
- C. c. canfieldae – Modoc Plateau region
- C. c. plata – Tucson and southern Arizona
The different subspecies vary slightly in size and coloration throughout the California Quail’s range.
Mountain Quail
The Mountain Quail (Oreortyx pictus) is the second most common quail in California. Here are some key facts about this species:
- Found in mountain ranges of northern California and the Sierra Nevada.
- Lives in conifer and deciduous woodlands with dense undergrowth.
- Plump, short-tailed birds with gray bodies, brown wings, and white stripes and dots.
- Males have a distinct head plume that curls forward.
- Diet consists of seeds, berries, acorns, and green vegetation.
- Population has declined over the 20th century due to habitat loss.
The Mountain Quail is shy and elusive, hiding in thick underbrush and fleeing on foot through the forest when disturbed. Their call is a loud “pey-cos” whistle. They form small coveys in winter months and break into pair bonds in spring to breed.
Breeding
Mountain Quail breed from April to June. Their nests are shallow depressions concealed in dense vegetation on the forest floor. Females lay 5-13 eggs which hatch after 24-28 days. Chicks are able to fly short distances by two weeks old.
Gambel’s Quail
Gambel’s Quail (Callipepla gambelii) inhabit hot, arid habitats in southeastern California. Here are some key facts:
- Found in desert regions of California near the Colorado River.
- Prefer dry brushy areas with scattered vegetation.
- Plump birds with gray bodies, reddish wings, and bold white facial markings.
- Males have a black cap with curled plume and females are brown with a subtle head plume.
- Travel in coveys of 5-20 birds.
- Diet consists of seeds, leaves, fruits, and insects.
Gambel’s Quail rely on scattered vegetation for cover and spend their time foraging along the ground. During very hot weather, they seek shelter in shade to prevent overheating. Their numbers fluctuate locally depending on rainfall and habitat conditions.
Breeding
Gambel’s Quail breed from spring to early fall after rainfall. The male mates with multiple females who each lay 9-16 eggs in a nest lined with grass and concealed by a bush or cactus. After 23-25 days, the eggs hatch and chicks are able to fly short distances after two weeks.
Montezuma Quail
The Montezuma Quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) is a secretive quail that inhabits Mexico and just barely enters California near the border. Here are some key facts:
- Lives in grasslands and woodlands with good cover.
- Short, rounded wings adapted for running through dense vegetation.
- Intricately patterned plumage in grays, browns, black, and white.
- Both sexes have a forward-curling black crest on their forehead.
- Travels in small groups, foraging on seeds, fruits, leaves, and insects.
- Very rare and localized in California, mainly found in San Diego county.
The Montezuma Quail is challenging to observe in its native habitat. It sticks to dense vegetation and flees rapidly on foot when disturbed. The population is extremely small in California, limited by available habitat. Maintaining native grasslands and brushlands is crucial for conservation of this quail at the edge of its range.
Breeding
Montezuma Quail breed from June to August. The nest is a lined grass scrape concealed under cover on the ground. Average clutch size is around 12 eggs which hatch after 24 days. Chicks can flutter short distances after two weeks but remain with parents several months.
Scaled Quail
The Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata) inhabits arid regions in southeastern California. Key facts include:
- Found in hot, dry areas with scattered brush and cacti.
- Gray body with white undertail feathers easily visible in flight.
- Distinctive scaly-looking breast and belly feathers.
- Blue-gray crest that lays flat on head.
- Found singly or in small coveys.
- Diet is seeds, leaves, buds, fruits, and insects.
- Population in California is small and declining.
The Scaled Quail’s specialized desert habitat and evasive nature make it challenging to observe in California. They forage in open areas but quickly take cover in brush to avoid predators. Conservation efforts for native desert vegetation are important for maintaining Scaled Quail numbers.
Breeding
Scaled Quail breed from April to October after rainfall. The nest is a shallow ground scrape concealed by vegetation. Females lay 9-16 eggs which hatch in 23-25 days. Chicks are able to make short flights by two weeks old.
Northern Bobwhite
The Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) barely enters the very southeast corner of California near Yuma. Key facts:
- Range extends just into California along the Colorado River.
- Prefers grasslands, agricultural fields, brushlands.
- Plump, round-bodied quail with short tail.
- Mottled brown, black, and white plumage.
- Male has white face bordered by black.
- Forms large winter coveys.
- Population declining rangewide.
The Northern Bobwhite has declined significantly across its range due to habitat loss and degradation. In California, it is limited to a very small area near Yuma along the Colorado River. Conservation of brushy borders and cover around agricultural areas could benefit Bobwhite numbers.
Breeding
Northern Bobwhites breed from April to September. The nest is a shallow ground scrape lined with grasses and leaves. Females lay 12-16 eggs which hatch in 23 days. Chicks can flutter short distances by 12-15 days old.
Habitat and Behavior
California’s quail species occupy diverse habitats across the state. Here is a summary of key habitat requirements:
Species | Key Habitats |
California Quail | Brush, woodland edges, forests, chaparral |
Mountain Quail | Conifer and deciduous forests with dense understory |
Gambel’s Quail | Hot arid regions, desert scrub and edge habitats |
Montezuma Quail | Grasslands, woodlands with thick cover |
Scaled Quail | Arid desert regions with scrub brush |
Northern Bobwhite | Grasslands, agricultural areas, brushlands |
In general, quail prefer habitats with a mix of dense cover for hiding and open areas for feeding. They spend most of their time on the ground foraging for seeds, fruits, leaves, and some insects. During the winter, they form social coveys for feeding and roosting together at night.
California quail communicate with a variety of vocalizations. The California Quail’s “chi-ca-go” whistle is a familiar sound across much of the state. Gambel’s Quail have a more rolling, melodious call. In spring, male quails use distinctive vocalizations like the Mountain Quail’s “pey-cos” whistle to attract females and defend territories.
Quail are adept runners, using their short wings mainly for brief bursts to escape predators. Their plumage provides excellent camouflage in their natural habitats. They will freeze and flatten against the ground to avoid detection.
Population Status
Most California quail species have stable populations, though some have declined locally or regionally due to habitat loss and degradation. Here is a brief overview of population status:
- California Quail – Still widespread and abundant throughout range.
- Mountain Quail – Declined over 20th century due to habitat loss, still common locally.
- Gambel’s Quail – Numbers fluctuate regionally depending on rainfall and habitat.
- Montezuma Quail – Rare and local in California, specialized habitat limits distribution.
- Scaled Quail – Low numbers and declining population in California.
- Northern Bobwhite – Rare in California and declining significantly rangewide.
Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation are the main threats facing quail populations. Maintaining native vegetation communities and habitat connectivity through wildlife corridors could help preserve populations of rarer quail species.
Hunting
Many quail species are popular gamebirds for recreational hunting with seasons and bag limits regulated by state wildlife agencies. Here are some key details on quail hunting in California:
- California Quail and Mountain Quail are most commonly hunted.
- Season generally runs from early fall through the end of the year.
- Bag limit is 10 quail per day for most species.
- Upland game birds require a hunting license and upland game bird validation.
- Hunting is not allowed near urban areas or protected lands.
- Regulated hunting does not negatively impact overall quail populations.
Hunters should always be familiar with current regulations and ensure proper licensing. Quail hunting provides recreation and a game meat source when carried out responsibly.
Conclusion
California is a stronghold for quail diversity with six native species inhabiting habitats from deserts to high elevation forests. The California Quail and Gambel’s Quail are likely the most familiar species, adapted to a variety of habitats across much of the state. Forest-dwellers like the Mountain Quail have declined due to habitat loss but maintain stable populations in optimal habitat. Rare quails like the Montezuma Quail and Northern Bobwhite barely enter California at the extreme periphery of their ranges. Maintaining connectivity of native brush and woodland habitats can help provide the cover and food sources quail require and give these gamebirds secure footholds within the state.